INQUIRER Sports

SACRAMENTO – Sacramento Kings forward Andres Nocioni of Argentina issued an apology on Thursday after being arrested on suspicion of drunken driving.

Police stopped Nocioni at about two in the morning after seeing the South American star's car weaving on the road. After smelling alcohol, a police officer issued a sobriety test and booked Nocioni into jail.

After being released, Nocioni issued an apology statement.

"I want to apologize to the Kings organization, my teammates, my coaches, the fans, the city of Sacramento and my family," Nocioni said.

"Drinking and driving is something that shouldn't be taken lightly. I made a mistake and I'm very sorry for my lapse in judgment."

Nocioni was arrested a few hours after scoring 14 points and grabbing six rebounds for the Kings in a 113-105 NBA loss to Atlanta.

Nocioni, who is averaging 9.8 points and 3.8 rebounds so far this season, used poor judgment, a statement from the team said, adding that the Kings would leave the issue of possible disciplinary action to league officials.

"We will wait for the outcome of the judicial process and the NBA's decision on potential fines and-or suspension," Kings basketball operations president Geoff Petrie said.

"This experience now becomes a life lesson learned the hard way."